Advantage West Midlands (Hansard, 3 April 2001)

§ Mr. Caborn

This Government are about ensuring that all regions of the country are given the opportunity to reach their full potential. It is the task of Government to ensure that the right framework is in place for regional economies to flourish.

This is why we established Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)—to improve the economic performance of the English Regions. In the short period of their existence, the RDAs have emerged as the strategic drivers of economic development in the English regions—mirroring the success of their counterparts in Scotland and Wales.

The RDAs have already made a considerable impact. They brought local partners on board to produce Regional Strategies. They have provided a focal point for regional economic development, and they have already established a track record in creating and saving jobs. RDAs have also had a key role in defining the skills needs in their regions in the context of their Regional Strategies.

Our confidence in RDAs is shown in their increased budgets for the new financial year 2001–02. The £1.7 billion they will have by 2003–04 is almost double the amount they inherited in 1999.

Shrewsbury and Atcham companies have already received funding from Advantage West Midlands (Advantage). Companies within the Shrewsbury area have been directly assisted with Rover funding totalling £130,000. I hope that Shrewsbury and Atcham will benefit from the development of the Wolverhampton-Telford high technology corridor, which Advantage is exploring. The Rural Regeneration Zone to the south of the district will, I feel sure, provide much needed support to businesses and communities in the vicinity, improving the local economy and indirectly helping businesses in the Shrewsbury area.

Advantage is working with partners and leading on information, communications and technology (ICT), with a major emphasis on rural areas and market towns. It has 108W taken the initiative and set up a Task Force to assess and address the social and economic impact of the foot and mouth outbreak in the region.

It has approved expenditure of £230,000 for a Regional Organics Centre on the Battlefield Enterprise Park at Shrewsbury.

It has taken an early opportunity to assist the Shropshire Local Learning and Skills Council by allocating a notional £450,000 for 2001–02 for skills development. Companies in Shrewsbury and Atcham, as elsewhere, will benefit from improving the skills of the workforce.

It has made a very significant financial commitment of £2.8 million to restore Flax Mill, a Grade 1 listed building with the objective of providing employment and substantial tourism.